PSAT Test Preparation

PSAT is a unique examination, because it offers the maximum benefits to students and
perhaps not as many to colleges or universities. It favors the students
and that is why it can be said that it probably is biased in providing such offers to students.

The Worth of Taking PSAT
This is an examination which is centered on helping the students in as many ways as possible. The benefits are:

It is an index
of your capabilities. It measures and outlines your weaknesses and
finer points. Hence, you are in a better position to make judgments
about your level of knowledge. This works like a diagnostic test that
can guide you to polish yourself specifically in certain areas.

This
test proves to be one of the crucial initial steps of preparation for
SAT as it is set on the lines of SAT and therefore, it gives an idea to
students about what SAT would be like.

PSAT
provides the experience of taking a standardized test to students. It
gives them an opportunity to know where they stand amongst all the
candidates taking the test.

It makes it possible to receive financial aids through National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

This test
score is also used for guidance and counseling of students. You can
receive a customized study plan for SAT and a personalized list of
career matches.

Does PSAT Require Preparation? Yes.
Taking PSAT without preparation is like fooling yourself since you are
the only one at loss with it. This test is only about helping students,
and thus it is required that you make the most of this opportunity with
full preparation.

The questions in this exam have a
specific format and are arranged in typical categories. Generally,
students have never come across such a pattern of testing before.
Hence, it is required that they have background-knowledge of how to
take the test in order to do well in it.

Many students believe that it is
itself a preparatory test, and hence one need not prepare for it.
However, the real advantage can only be realized if it is taken with
full preparation. This also gives you an idea of the level of
preparation required to take SAT.

How to Begin Preparing for PSAT
How one should begin the
preparation could be a perplexing question. However, everything seems to fall into place if a little
consideration is given on planning from the start.

First, one must provide a time-slot for preparation. Various
questions regarding preparation time should be considered. Following
are some guidelines for the same.

How much time is required for a complete preparation?

This issue of time can be solved only if the student understands his
current level of preparation. A student who is better prepared would
require lesser time than one who is not as well versed in all the
testing areas. However, in general an average student takes about 5 to
6 weeks to prepare.

How much time should be devoted to preparation in a singe day?

The initial days of preparation set the mood and warm up the
students for a more rigorous study routine. Hence, the number of hours
of study in a single day could be from 3 to 4. The following days
should be devoted to serious study by putting in at least 5 hours of
study on a regular basis. This should be done throughout in order to
avoid struggling with 8 hours of study in order to cover up for the
time lost during the initial days of preparation.

How much time should be given to different sections of the test?

This must be decided keeping in mind the areas in which the student
needs more practice. For example, if the student is better than average
in writing skills but requires more practice for mathematics, he must
divide the preparation time such that he can devote more time to
practice mathematics questions than to polish writing skills. However,
one must be particular to cover up all the content areas and keep time
for revision and practice from practice tests.

Further, it is required that the students collect the relevant study
material for preparation. It is with the help of tools and raw
materials that a stable structure is established. Therefore, along with
hard work and sincerity, good preparation is possible only with the
help of good study materials.

The study materials that you collect should include good amount of
information about the test and must contain the content for study of
each section. The study material must also include enough practice
questions and at least 2 full length practice tests. There is a
wide range of books and software that can be purchased from bookstores
for this purpose.

Do You Require Help for PSAT Preparation?
Even after preparing a personalized preparation plan and collecting
relevant study materials there could be some students who find it
difficult to go ahead with preparation on their own. They could face
difficulties with understanding the content of different sections or
solving the practice questions. Sometimes students are also not able to
sit and study for the required time. If you are one amongst such
students, you need not worry. Such problems are not related with your test
preparation, but they deal with the method of study that is employed.

By nature, some students study better in the company of others. It
is possible that with external guidance even slow learners and below
average students get refined to the extent that they are able to score
within the top score bracket. Hence, it is essential to identify your study nature and seek help if required.

Help is available in the forms of tutorials, classroom coaching as
well as online sources. All these methods of study have their distinct
features. Students must select one of these methods depending upon the
flexibility, attention of supervisor and contropsat-test-preparation.aspxl over the study pattern
that they want.

Role of Practice Tests Nothing can
teach you more than the practice tests. Taking such tests from time to time helps in evaluating your
level of preparation. They also reflect the areas that require more
preparation. Hence, the performance in practice tests can be taken as
guidelines for directing your studies.

Official Student Guide This guide
contains a number of practice questions of all sections as well as a
full-length practice test. Students can contact their high school
guidance office for more information about obtaining this guide for
preparation. This guide provides test-taking guidance as well as
explains the instructions that need to be followed for each type of
question. The answer explanations for the practice test are available
online on the official website of College Board.
The official website also offers SAT questions for preparation on a
daily basis. These questions add to your personal question bank for
PSAT preparation.

Tips to approach the PSAT

Those interested in other standardized
tests like the SAT and ACT must consider taking PSAT for sure. It
provides them an edge, which determines a high score in future exams.

Incorrect responses to multiple-choice questions make
you lose the points you have already earned. Guessing should not be done if you have no idea about the
probable answer. Instead, clarify your concepts during preparation to
be sure of your answer.

The
questions vary in difficulty levels; however, all questions carry equal
marks. In order to save time it is best to attempt easy questions first
rather than wasting time on difficult ones.

Take practice tests while preparing to get an idea of the way the answers need to be filled.

Hand
practice for Mathematics questions in order to gain mastery over them.
This provides you swiftness and precision in answering these
questions.

Conclusion In order to gain the most
from taking PSAT, it is essential to work hard and score well in it.
Although colleges do not view these scores, your test score serves as a platform to judge where you stand.